House type refrigerator repair

[Len Silva]

Now that you know the circuitry, and after you get it all working properly, you might want to add a switch to disable the defrost when operating on batteries.

Len

[Don4107]

Something to consider when choosing a frost free or manual defrost refer and/or defeating the auto defrost system.

A manual defrost unit usually has the evaporator out in the open so you see when the ice is building up and when it is completely defrosted.

A frost free unit usually has the evaporator buried behind some sort of baffle or cover. If you defeat the defrost system it can/will build a block of VERY cold ice around the coolant lines that may not defrost correctly by just turning on the defrost at some point.  If left off it will eventually stop the air flow and even though the compressor is running continuously will not cool much.  Makes a big difference what the local humidity is. 

It can take a long time to manually defrost a frost free refer because the coils are buried. In oder to get it working properly you need to defrost until it completely stops dripping.  The amount of build up can easily overflow the drip tray that is designed to only hold a few hours worth of build up.

One of the best and safest ways to speed up the manual defrost is to use a fan to circulate air with the door open.  Just be prepared for the amount of water that may be on the way.

Good luck
Don 4107

[JackConrad]

Don,
   Were you in our bus last month in NC?  You must have been. YES, the evaporator is behind the back wall of the freezer compartment and difficult to defrost manually (we set a small "cube heater" in the freezer pointing at the back wall of the freezer). YES, the humidity level was very high. YES, the evaporator coils got so much frost on them that the the refrigerator ran quite a bit more, keeping the freezer at around -20 while the refrigerator section was about 50.  YES, the melted water will overflow the non-removable drip pan in the bottom of the refrigerator. 
   Thanks for all the helpful advice. I hope to turn it on this afternoon to let it cool down and I plan to check out the defroster circuit after it cools down.  I will post my results.  Jack

[Don4107]

Jack,

The reason that I recommend the fan only is that there is so much plastic in refers that a heater or pan of hot water ect. can warp/melt the liners and stuff and cause even more grief.  Lots of air flow is just about as good and much safer.

Wish I was in NC.  Can't get much further away without getting wet, Washington state.  I sold and serviced appliances for 20 years or so back in the 80s and 90s.  Had to put a pump in Rita's washer this morning.  Just can't get away from some things.

Dom 4107

PS:  I must be wrong, thought the calendar said June 10th, woke up to a snow storm and freezing temps this morning! 

[Don Fairchild]

Blame the cold snap on Global warming, That's what they do in California
Don

[Don4107]

Customer explained it to me today.  Said I just had the wrong month.  Said this is not June, it is Junuary! 

Don 4107